Frequently Asked Questions:
 
 
     
  Why does hockey equipment have a foul odor and become hard?  
  Modern equipment is manufactured from synthetic materials that are very dense and retain odor. You can prevent this from happening to your equipment by pulling it out of the bag after every game and allowing it to dry in a cool place. Also, you should wash your equipment at least twice a season.  
     
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  What is a custom radius?  
  A custom radius is a custom curve on a hockey skate blade. If done properly, a radius can improve your skating skills.  
     
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  When should hockey skate blades be replaced?  
 

Hockey skate blades should be replaced when:

  1. Loose in the holder, the plastic is cracked.
  2. The blade is short and is rounded.
  3. The blade is too short to be clamped into the skate sharpener.
 
     
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  Why wonīt my hockey skate blades hold an edge?  
 

Skate blades won't hold an edge for several reasons.

  1. Your blade is bent.
  2. Your last sharpening was poor. 
  3. Your blades are rusted. 
  4. Your radius is not consistent.
  5. Your blades are too short.
  6. Your steel is a low grade.
  7. The mats between the dressing room and the ice is dulling your blades. 
* Keep in mind that you should get four to five ice times from a good sharpen.
 
     
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  Why do hockey skate blades bend?  
  Most often hockey skate blades bend because of an impact to the blade such as a puck, or hitting the boards. There is the rare case when the blades are mounted incorrectly. When the housing is misaligned, it causes pressure on the blade which makes for a `chronic bendī. Be sure your blades are mounted by an experienced shop.  
     
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  Why do rivets come loose?  
  Rivets usually come loose because they are rusted. To prevent this, lift your insole after every game. Improper mounting may be another cause.  
     
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  Can you wash hockey equipment?  
  Most hockey equipment can be laundered. Protective equipment such as shoulder pads, shin guards, pants, gloves, catcher, blocker, throat guard etc. can be washed in an industrial washing machine like what you would find in a Laundromat. These washers are most often upright, and do not have agitators in the center of the barrel. Check the items for repairs before you launder them. It is best to repair them first to prevent more damage. Use a laundry soap such as Tide or Sunlight for items without leather, or products made of leather, use Murphy's Oil Soap. Use one cup of soap, as well as one cup of household ammonia or Dettol to remove the body odor. Always use cold water. Never subject your equipment to heat such as sunlight, hot air registers, etc. It is harmful to the new synthetic materials, as well as leather and causes the materials to become hard.  Never use bleach. Let your equipment air dry somewhere cool, such as your basement. A fan helps to dry the equipment faster. Expect 24-48 hours to dry. Items such as hockey skates and helmets that can not go in a washing machine can be washed in a bathtub or basin. If washing in your bathtub, lay down an old towel to prevent scratching. Fill hockey skates with cold water, two tablespoons of household ammonia or Dettol, and two tablespoons of laundry detergent. Use a new toilet bowl brush to scrub the inside of the skates, drain and let dry the same as described above. Sprinkle soap inside the helmet, add cold water, and scrub with a new toilet bowl brush. Rinse and let dry. Questions? E-mail us at theteam@donerightsports.com  
     
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  Why do you fall when you turn tight?  
  Falling in tight turns is cause by blades that are too short. When turning tight, the boot of the skate actually touches the ice, causing the player to fall. If there enough blade left that this should not be causing the player to fall, you may want to have your custom radius checked.  
     
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  Why do I get blisters?  
  It is a common fallacy that blisters are caused from a skate being too tight. Blisters are actually a result of friction in the boot of the skate, meaning the skate does not fit properly. After your skate is broken in, the padding inside the skate packs down, and gives you more room to move.   
     
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  How should skates fit?  
 

A few tips on fitting skates:

  1. When purchasing skates, pick a reputable dealer. In Calgary, B&P Cycle or Tuxedo Cycle are good places to get fitted properly.
  2. Avoid shopping for skates on a Saturday. The more time a person has to spend with you, the better your fit.
  3. Start with something that you know is too small. If you are fitting yourself, you can pull the insole out of the bottom of the skate, and step on it to see how your foot relates to the skate size.
  4. Do not be deceived by narrow skates feeling too small. They may be too narrow with a lot of room in the end of the skate.
  5. Generally, a skate is 1 1/2 - 2 sizes smaller than your shoe size.
  6. Avoid switching brand names. Due to the constructional differences, it may be difficult to get used to another brand name.
 
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For more details on the above subjects, or other questions you may have, please e-mail us at: theteam@donerightsports.com